ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
BRO opens up Manali – Sarchu Road in record time
Highlights
•BRO opens Road Manali to Sarchu in record time frame, negotiating the formidable Baralacha La Pass .
•BRO used air effort to induct a Special Team for snow clearance and opened the Road and Pass more than a month before expectations.
•In the initial phase only Army vehicles carrying essential supplies will be allowed to move on the road, the civil traffic movement will be allowed post approval from local Civil Administration.
In an another major breakthrough of opening up of passes in the North-Western border areas, the Border Road Organisation  opened up the 210 Km long Manali-Sarchu Road on NH 1D in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday, 26 March 2022. This achievement comes a day after the BRO opened the Zojila Pass for civilian traffic on the Srinagar- Kargil- Leh Road on NH 1. Opening the Manali – Sarchu Road establishes the vital connect to Lahaul District in Himachal Pradesh which further leads to Leh in Ladakh.
The pass and the road, in the past, generally opened in the last week of April, but with the successful movement of a road convoy on March 26 the BRO has opened the pass almost a month in advance which is a record in itself.
During the winters the Road normally remains closed for over 160-180 days in a year, but this time Project Deepak of BRO has opened the road in 117 days, as the last convoy had moved on 29 Nov 2021. The early opening is more creditable due to the fact that this year the region witnessed an exponential increase in snowfall as compared to last year.
Opening the Manali-Sarchu Road was premised on successful conduct of snow clearance operations over one of the highest passes of the Zanskar Range, the formidable Baralacha La Pass . The BRO adopted a two prong approach, with simultaneous deployment of snow clearance teams from two sides, one from Patsio to Baralacha La and the second from Sarchu to Baralacha La.
Since Sarchu is cut off from rest of the country during winters, as part of proactive actions and planning by the Project winter stocking of snow clearance plant equipment and spares was done well in advance during November last year in Sarchu Camp. To achieve success and early opening of the pass, and the road, aerial induction of the snow clearance team was undertaken on 05 March 2022 from Sarchu. Team comprising of six skilled operators and technicians was dropped at Baralacha La to commence snow clearance operations.
As a precautionary measure in the initial days the road will be opened only for movement of Army logistics convoys, for delivery of essential supplies for troops deployed in forward areas. Movement of all traffic will commence in the near future, on approval from the Civil Administration.
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
UPDATES on COVID-19
It has come to the notice of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare  through some media reports that the issue of Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure  mode not being available in the ventilators supplied by Government of India has been raised.
The “Make in India” ventilators supplied to the States and UTs, including GNCT of Delhi, by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare are meant for ICUs. The technical specifications for these COVID ventilators have been laid down by a Technical Committee of domain knowledge experts headed by the Director General Health Services , MoHFW against which the ventilators have been procured and supplied. The ventilators procured and supplied comply with these specifications.
Ventilator models BEL and AgVa supplied to the States/ UTs are complying with the requirements as per the specifications laid down by the Technical Committee. These cost effective, made in India ventilators have BiPAP mode and other such modes as have been prescribed in the technical specifications. The ventilators are being supplied along with User Manuals and Feedback Forms which must be referred to for clarity.
Special Service and Features
FRAUDSTERS CONVICTED FOR 3 YEARS IN A BANK FRAUD CASE OF CBI
In a bank fraud case where Central Bank of India, Coimbatore Main Branch, Coimbatore was cheated to the tune of Rs. 1.41 Crores, Hon’ble Special Judge  for CBI cases, Coimbatore pronounced Judgment on 29.12.2022 convicting all the three accused persons, sentencingthem to undergo 3 years Rigorous Imprisonment  each and also levied a total fine of Rs.1,50,000.
The case was registered on 21.02.2011 by CBI on the basis of source information that M/s.Chemfree Vegetable  Ltd, Chennai, represented by its Managing Director, A-1 Shri S.Sakthivel, S/o Late K.Shanmugam, R/oPlot No.5, F-1, 1st Floor, Muthulakshmi Complex, Kushal Das Street, Saligramam, Chennai-600 093;A-2 Shri M.Vellaichamy, Sr. Manager , Central Bank of India, Coimbatore Main Branch, Coimbatore, S/o Late Mamathy, R/o No.1342, Subramaniyapuram, Govt. Servant Colony, 1st Street, Pudukkottai-622 003; and A-3 Shri C.Bommaiya,  S/o Late Chinnaraj, R/o M2-4, Mullainagar, Aranmanaipudur Post, Theni District  cheated Central Bank of India to the tune of Rs.1,41,44,861/- by submitting forged documents to the Bank, using them as genuine got loan sanctioned and funds released which was fraudulently withdrawn by the accused and was never repaid. In the process, A-2 M.Vellaichamy, abused his official position as Public Servant and shown undue favour to the accused persons thereby causing wrongful loss to the Bank with corresponding wrongful gain to themselves/others. The total outstanding amount of the account is Rs.1,41,44,861/- including interest as on 23.09.2011.
After investigation, a Charge Sheet was filed against A-1 Shri S.Sakthivel, A-2 Shri M.Vellaichamy and A-3 Shri C.Bommaiya in CC No.14/2011, on29.09.2011, U/s.120-B r/w 420, 467, 468 and471 IPCand sec.13 r/w 13  of PC Act, 1988 & substantive offences thereof. On completion of trial, court pronounced judgement on 29.12.2022 convicting all the three accused persons of all the charges framed against them.
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Prime Minister's Office
PM addresses Valedictory Ceremony at DGP/IGP Conference at Tekanpur
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today addressed the Valedictory Ceremony at the Conference of Director Generals and Inspector Generals of Police at BSF Academy at Tekanpur.
The Prime Minister recalled how the nature and scope of the Conference have changed since 2014, beginning with its being shifted out of Delhi. He appreciated the officers who have been instrumental in facilitating this change. The Prime Minister said that the Conference has now become more relevant, in the context of challenges and responsibilities facing the country. He said the new format of the Conference has resulted in a marked improvement in the quality of discussions.
He commended the country's security apparatus for the work they are doing in securing the country. He said that the officers present in the gathering today have delivered leadership, despite often having to operate in an environment of negativity.
He said that as a result of the discussions in this Conference over the last few years, now, once an objective is clearly defined for the police force, there is a lot of cohesion in the execution. He said this Conference is helping top police officers get a more holistic view of problems and challenges. He said the range of topics being discussed has become more broad-based over the last two years. This has helped give a whole new vision to senior police officers, he added.
Discussing ways to add even more value to this Conference, the Prime Minister suggested that follow up should continue through working groups, all the year round. In this context, he specially emphasized the importance of involving younger officers. He said this would greatly help in improving effectiveness of the exercise.
The Prime Minister mentioned the emerging global consensus towards greater information sharing on illicit financial dealings, and said India had a key role to play in achieving this. He said just as openness is getting increased acceptance worldwide, there is need for greater openness among States too, on security issues. He said that security cannot be achieved selectively, or alone. But breaking of silos and information sharing among states can help make everyone more secure. "We are not an assembled entity, but an organic entity," he asserted.
The Prime Minister said cyber security issues should be dealt with immediately, and should receive highest priority. In this context, he particularly mentioned the importance of social media. He said messaging should rely on local languages for greater effectiveness. On radicalization too, the Prime Minister urged the use of technology to pinpoint problem areas.
The Prime Minister also presented President's Police Medals for Distinguished Service to IB officers. During his address the Prime Minister congratulated and appreciated the medal winning officers of IB, for their dedication and commitment to service.
Union Home Minister Shri Raj Nath Singh, and Union Ministers of State for Home Shri Hansraj Ahir and Shri Kiren Rijiju were present on the occasion.
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Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Shri Rattan LalKataria urges newly inducted Post Doctoral fellows of DAIC to contribute to country’s progress
Dr. Ambedkar InternationalCentre , under the financial assistance of Ministry of Social Justice andEmpowerment, Government of India has started Dr. Ambedkar Doctoral Fellowship and Dr. AmbedkarPost-Doctoral Fellowship . DAIC had selected 30 Post DoctoralScholars in February 2021 Batch out of which 28 Fellows have National and 2 Fellows haveOverseas Fellowship.
During his address at Orientation Programme of Post Doctoral Fellows of DAIC in New Delhi today, the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Rattan LalKataria urged newly inducted post doctoral fellows of Dr. Ambedkar International Centre to utilise this opportunity in true earnest and contribute to country’s progress by joining government in its vision of ‘SabkaSaathSabkaVikaas’.
“During these two years, you should understand the current social and economic issues of the country, research upon them and suggest ways for the country to fight them effectively,” said Mr Kataria.
Mr. Kataria further said that Government has made special efforts in last five years on research due to which some of the prestigious universities of the country have started establishing their knowledge in the world.He also expressed confidence that,under the vision of Prime Minister, DAIC will also soon join the league of prestigious national and international institutions.
Dr. Ambedkar International Centre  was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on 7th December, 2017 to serve as an important place for research on social and economic issues. The Centre has been envisaged to act as a government think-tank engaged in preparing policy briefs and undertaking projects, research and field work. Aimed at fulfilling this vision, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has been working endlessly towards developing this Centre and building an ethos of research and original thinking. It is towards this purpose that an extensive library with a rich digital repository has been housed at this Centre.
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Ministry of Education
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan participates in IDY 2022 programme at Kangra fort in Himachal Pradesh
Yoga is being made a part of curriculum from Balvatika to Class 12th- Shri Dharmendra Pradhan
Union Education Minister calls for research and discussions on Yoga by educational institutions
International Day of Yoga 2022 is being celebrated in the year marking “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”. Union Minister for Education and Skill Development Shri Dharmendra Pradhan today attended IDY 2022 programme at iconic place Kangra Fort in Himachal Pradesh. He performed yoga with over 400 students and other dignitaries at Kangra Fort. The theme for IDY 2022 is “Yoga for Humanity”.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Pradhan said that Yoga is the subtle science of harmonizing the body, mind and soul. Yoga is key to good health and wellness.
He highlighted that National Education Policy 2020 has given importance to Yoga and it is being made a part of curriculum from Balvatika to Class 12th. Union Minister called for research and discussions on Yoga by educational institutions
The Minister said Yoga in the tranquil surroundings of the Kangra Fort was pure bliss. He thanked the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for making Kangra fort, a heritage treasure of Himachal Pradesh a part of the unique ‘Guardian Ring’ initiative.
The Minister urged all to take pledge to embrace Yoga as a lifestyle for a peaceful and prosperous world. Yoga unites and furthers the spirit of oneness. Yoga is for everyone.
MoS Education, Shri Subhas Sarkar participated from Belur Math West Bengal, MoS Education, Smt. Annapurna Devi participated from The Great Living Chola Temple, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu and MoS Education Shri Rajkumar Ranjan Singh from the Elephant Terrace, Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Celebrations were held across the world in a grand manner completely embedding it with the ongoing Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav  celebrations. The core purpose of IDY was to create mass awareness regarding the Health Benefits of Yoga for the people. Over the years, IDY has become a mass movement for health.
Prime Minister's Office
PM calls on Vice President
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has called on the Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankar.
Prime Minister tweeted;
“Called on Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji.”
Cabinet
Cabinet approves ratification of the Tenth Additional Protocol to the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union  signed at 2nd Extraordinary Congress of the UPU
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi gave its approval to the ratification of the Tenth Additional Protocol to the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union  adopted by 2nd Extraordinary Congress of the Union held at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 3rd to 7th September, 2018.
The approval enables the Postal Administration of India to have the Instrument of Ratification signed by the Hon’ble President of India and have the same deposited with the Director General of the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union through diplomatic channels along with approval of other Acts of the Union.
Ratification by the Government of India of the Tenth Additional Protocol to the Constitution of the UPU adopted by 2nd Extraordinary Congress held at Addis Ababa from 3rd to 7th September, 2018 would fulfil the obligations arising from Article 25 of the Constitution of the UPU and its commitment as expected of a member country of the Union. It will also enable the Department of Posts to bring out any administrative orders to implement the provisions of the UPU Convention in India.
Ministry of Steel
NMDC’s Best Ever Annual Financial Performance
India’s mining major National Mineral Development Corporation , under Ministry of Steel produced 42.19 million tonnes and sold
40.56 million tonnes of iron ore during the financial year 2021-22. With this, the company registered the strongest ever growth in its history, of 24% over last fiscal’s production of 34.15 million tonnes and a 22% growth over the 33.25 million tonnes sold in FY21.
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Q4
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Annual
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2020-21
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2021-22
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2020-21
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2021-22
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Iron Ore Production 
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12.31
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13.86
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34.15
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42.19
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Iron Ore Sales 
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11.09
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12.29
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33.25
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40.56
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Turnover 
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6,848
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6,702
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15,370
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25,882
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Profit Before Tax 
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4,269
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2,880
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8,902
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12,981
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Profit After Tax 
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2,838
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1,815
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6,253
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9,398
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Dividend 
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-
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7.76
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14.74
While crossing the 42 million tonne milestone, the largest iron ore producer of the country also delivered the best ever annual financial results. In FY22, it recorded a turnover of Rs. 25,882 crore against Rs. 15,370 crore in the previous year, a 68% move upwards. NMDC reported a Profit Before Tax  of Rs. 12,981 crore for FY 2021-22, 46% growth over FY 2020-21’s Rs. 8,902 crore. Profit After Tax  at Rs. 9,398 crore for the year similarly reflects a robust growth of 50% over PAT of Rs. 6,253 crore achieved in the previous financial year. The public sector company also paid its highest ever dividend of 1474% during FY22.
Concluding the year with a strong performance, NMDC produced 13.86 MnT during the Q4 FY 2021-22 as against 12.31 MnT in the CPLY, a growth of 13%, while realising a 11% growth in sales of 12.29 MnT of iron ore to 11.09 MnT sold in Q4 of FY 2020-21. For the fourth quarter of the financial year, turnover stood at Rs. 6,702 crore while PBT and PAT were clocked at Rs. 2,880 crore and Rs. 1,815 crore respectively.
The Audited Financial Results for the year 2021-22 were approved by the Board of Directors of the Company under the Chairmanship of Shri Sumit Deb, CMD, NMDC in its meeting held
on May 26, 2022.
Commenting on the impressive performance, Shri Sumit Deb, CMD, NMDC said, “This performance reflects the commitment of NMDC to make India truly AtmaNirbhar. We start this fiscal with a continued sense of focus and expect to complete important projects and deliver a stronger and sustained performance, owing to our focus on automation and digital initiatives that will catalyse our operations.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Amendments/Extension/Repeal in Acts dealing with Goods and Services Tax, Value Added Tax and Excise Duty in view of merger of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved amendments/extension/repeal in the following Acts and Regulations dealing with Goods and Services Tax , Value Added Tax  and State Excise, and for designation of Daman as Headquarter:
- the Central Goods and Service Tax Act, 2017  to be amended as Central Goods and Service Tax  Regulation, 2020;
- the Union Territory Goods and Service Tax Act, 2017  to be amended as Union Territory Goods and Service Tax  Regulation, 2020;
- the Dadra and Nagar Haveli Value Added Tax Regulation, 2005  to be amended as Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Value Added Tax  Regulation, 2020;
- the Daman and Diu Value Added Tax Regulation, 2005  to be repealed as Daman and Diu Value Added Tax  Regulation, 2C20;
- the Goa, Daman and Diu Excise Duty Act, 1964  to be amended as Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Excise Duty  Regulation, 2020;
- the Dadra and Nagar Haveli Excise Duty Regulation, 2012  to be repealed as Dadra and Nagar Haveli Excise Duty  Regulation, 2020;
- vii. Designation of Daman as Headquarter of Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
These amendments will lead to "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance" by way of having common taxation authorities: better delivery of services to the citizens by reducing duplication of work and improving administrative efficiency, will help in bringing more uniformity in Laws relating to GST, VAT and STATE EXCISE and it will also help to avoid any legal complications in the levy and collection of GST Tax, VAT, State Excise, including recovery of arrears Moreover, the said amendments not only bring uniformity in taxation laws but also strengthen the system of laws.
The U.T. Administration of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu have taken a big step to realize vision of "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance" for the people of the two UTs, besides saving to government exchequer and ensuring uniformity, stability and consistency in day to day functioning of taxation authorities. This is achieved by making Amendments/extension/repeal in Acts dealing with Goods and Services Tax , Value Added Tax  and Excise, and by designation of Daman as Headquarters of UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu in view of merger of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu on appointed date of 26.01.2020.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Shri Hardeep Puri releases Schedule of Rates 2018 for new technologies and First Q R Code of CPWD.
Also launched CPWD’s official Facebook and Twitter page on the Department’s website.
CPWD needs to look beyond conventional construction practices by adopting new, green and resilient technologies: Hardeep Puri
The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri has said that there is a great opportunity for the Central Public Works Department  as India needs to build 700 to 900 million square meter of urban space every year between now and 2030 that has to be green, resilient and ecologically sustainable. Put another way, India has to a build a new a Chicago every year, he said.
Shri Hardeep Puri was speaking at a function for release of a booklet on Schedule of Rates  2018 for new technologies and First Q R Code of CPWD here today. The Minister also launched CPWD’s official Facebook and Twitter page on the Department’s website on the occasion.
Dwelling on the rapid strides in country’s progress, Shri Puri said that our country is having the distinction of fastest growing economy in the world and going through a major phase of industrialization and modernization with a flood of construction and infrastructure projects. Therein, he said, lie the challenge and opportunity before CPWD. He said that CPWD must increasingly look at excellence in its projects along with private players.
The Minister also advocated the need to look beyond conventional construction practices of energy intensive building materials based on natural resources, emerging technologies, which not only brought speed & quality but are safe and durable, thereby leading towards sustainable development. He advised that construction and demolition waste should be recycled and extensively used in CPWD works. Energy efficiency measures should be given highest priority, he added.
Speaking about the importance of social media, Shri Puri said it has introduced a new dimension, a new narrative of work culture by sharing the organisation’s experiences with public at large. He also advised CPWD of an effective grievance redressal mechanism through feedback from its social media platforms. He said, it will also provide an opportunity to CPWD to advertise its good work before the people. The Minister said the Department has had a great past and added that with some remedial measures, it will have even brighter future.
The Director General of CPWD, Shri Prabhakar Singh, in his opening remarks, said the Department is moving towards the path of transformation, innovation, delivery and image building in a mission mode. He said, with the release of SOR for new technologies, CPWD has added one more feather in its cap in setting bench marking standards in the construction sector.
Senior officials of the Ministry and CPWD also attended the function.